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After an Injection


 

What to expect after your injection:

You may experience soreness or bruising at the injection site.

For many injections, you will have significant relief within 24 hours. Some injections, particularly in the neck and back, may take up to 72 hours for optimal relief.

Many areas need to be injected a second time in 2 to 3 weeks to achieve the desired result. This is normal, and the likelihood of needing additional injections is proportional to the severity of the pain and inflammation being treated.

Flushing, which typically consists of warmth and redness around the chest, upper arms, and face, is a common occurrence related to the use of cortisone and does not represent an allergic reaction. It is generally a nuisance and is not serious. Flushing will typically subside within 48 to 72 hours. Please let our team know if you experience this type of reaction. The doctor can adjust the dose and type of cortisone preparation the next time you receive an injection.

You may experience insomnia the first night or two after the injection. This is a stimulant-like effect of cortisone.


Instructions after your injection:

Apply ice packs to the injected areas every 2-3 hours while awake, typically three or four times, during the first 24 hours after the injection. Small areas like the wrist should have ice applied for five minutes at a time. Large areas like the back or shoulder should have ice applied for 15-20 minutes at a time. Avoid ice packs to the neck. Do not apply ice packs to the fingers or toes. Do not apply ice packs over broken skin.

Unless otherwise instructed, you may continue non-athletic activities after an injection. Avoid strenuous hours.


Keep a watch after the injection:

If you develop a fever or chills, or have redness or swelling at the site of the injection, call us immediately. While this is uncommon, these can be signs of infection.

If you have an unusual amount of pain at the injection site or in the joint that was injected, call us right away.


We want to hear from you:

After an injection, the doctor may instruct you to follow-up "as needed." This means that if an injection did not work as well as you expected, or you feel it did not work at all, our team wants to hear from you. Also, if you feel much better, call us and let us know at (561) 819-3100. 

Our goal is to answer your phone call promptly. Please allow time for your doctor and nurse to review your chart. You will receive a return call from one of our trained team members.